A slice of Middle-earth in London

01 Dec 2014

To celebrate the third and final film in The Hobbit Trilogy, New Zealand is transporting a slice of Middle-earth to London in the form of a life-sized Hobbit hole sitting inside London's luxurious Claridge's hotel.

Up to 200 international entertainment media attending the world première of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) - will use the Middle-earth-inspired space for interviews, as a part of the three-day première media programme in anticipation of the film's UK release from Warner Bros. Pictures on December 12.

The authentic display brings 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand to life, illustrating that New Zealand is a real place that will live on as a spectacular holiday destination after The Hobbit Trilogy's epic conclusion.

The Hobbit hole will host media interviews with actor Billy Boyd who performs the end title song for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Billy Boyd has had an on-going relationship with New Zealand since first playing Peregrin 'Pippin' Took more than a decade ago in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Created in collaboration with Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata - one of New Zealand's most successful tourist destinations - and flown to London by the "official airline of Middle-earth" Air New Zealand, the Hobbit hole is expected to inspire considerable worldwide media coverage for New Zealand.

Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the exhibit will be used to tell the story of New Zealand as a fun, must-see tourism destination, as well as an innovative, creative nation, and a great place to make films and do business.

"New Zealand has come to London with a spectacular display that will be open for five days. You will literally step into Hobbiton past a picket fence, garden and a letterbox. On opening the Hobbit door, guests will be transported into New Zealand where sweeping images of New Zealand's stunning landscapes will showcase what you can experience in Middle-earth," says Kevin.

"We are delighted to be a part of the worldwide media programme in London, and believe the New Zealand room, which houses the Hobbit hole will motivate all those who experience it to share the wider New Zealand story."

About the Hobbit hole and New Zealand room

The Hobbit hole has been created at Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, with input from Hobbiton General Manager Russell Alexander, The Hobbit Trilogy Art Director Brian Massey, head joiner Peter Hawke and builder Darren Roa.

The Hobbit hole features a door that was originally constructed as part of the Green Dragon Inn and used during filming of The Hobbit Trilogy, but was removed when the set was transformed into a functional part of the Hobbiton tourism experience.

The Hobbit hole will serve as the location for official publicity activities surrounding the global release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth will also have a strong presence on the red carpet for the World Première of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies with destination footage appearing on screens surrounding the red carpet.

About The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. As with the first two films in the Trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the final film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM. www.thehobbit.net #OneLastTime